Steelers sign former Charger

March 15, 2014

PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Steelers addressed some of their depth issues along the defensive line, signing Cam Thomas to a two-year deal.

The 27-year-old Thomas started a career-high 10 games for San Diego in 2013, finishing with 30 tackles and an interception. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Thomas gives the Steelers some much-needed depth after backup nose tackle Al Woods and defensive lineman Ziggy Hood left via free agency earlier in the week.

Thomas will compete with incumbent Steve McLendon for playing time. Thomas was a 2010 fifth-round pick out of North Carolina who worked his way into a starting job for the Chargers.

Pittsburgh still needs help at defensive end, where Cam Heyward is the only lineman on the roster with extensive playing experience.

Patriots sign CB

Suspended former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner has signed with the New England Patriots.

The 29-year-old Browner made the announcement on Twitter. He said he is honored to be a part of the organization.

Browner was suspended by the NFL in December for violating the league's substance abuse policy. It was his second suspension in two seasons. He is eligible to attend training camp with the Patriots and play in exhibition games, but he will miss the first four games of the regular season.

Browner had 19 tackles and one interception before he was injured in Week 10 last season. He missed the Super Bowl, which the Seahawks won 43-8 over the Denver Broncos.

Colts get Nicks

INDIANAPOLIS - The Colts have agreed to terms with free-agent receiver Hakeem Nicks.

Team owner Jim Irsay confirmed the deal Friday on Twitter. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

The injured Nicks caught 56 passes for 896 yards but did not score a touchdown last season with the New York Giants. His contract expired after the season.

Nicks had recently said he was willing to take a one-year deal to prove he was healthy.

With the Colts, he joins a receiving corps that includes perennial Pro Bowler Reggie Wayne and rising star T.Y. Hilton, and he'll play with one of the top young quarterbacks in Andrew Luck. Wayne will try to return this season from a torn ACL.

Titans sign Oher

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a multiyear deal with offensive tackle Michael Oher, a former first-round draft pick who spent his first five seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

Titans general manager Ruston Webster called Oher "a big, strong, durable player" in a statement announcing the move Friday. Oher's contract reportedly is a four-year deal worth $20 million with $9.5 million guaranteed.

Oher tweeted that he's "extremely happy and excited to be a Titan [and] can't wait to do big things!!!" Oher also tweeted, "Wanna thank the Ravens organization and their great fans!"

The 27-year-old Oher should fill Tennessee's vacancy at right tackle created by the Titans' decision to waive David Stewart on Wednesday. Stewart had been Tennessee's starting right tackle since 2006.

Ravens ink Smith

Free agent wide receiver Steve Smith has signed a three-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens announced the signing of the 34-year-old Smith on Friday.

Smith was released by the Carolina Panters on Thursday after 13 seasons and headed to Baltimore to talk to the Ravens, who were eager to add provide quarterback Joe Flacco another target.

Smith ranks 19th in the NFL in career receptions. He caught 64 passes for 746 yards and four touchdowns in 2013.

Baltimore has had a void at wide receiver since trading Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers after winning the Super Bowl in February 2013. The Ravens went 8-8 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time in six years.

MIAMI - Veteran cornerback Cortland Finnegan has signed a contract with the Miami Dolphins, and he'll try to mount a comeback from an injury-plagued 2013.

Finnegan, who was an All-Pro in 2008, started only five games last year for the St. Louis Rams. He was sidelined by a hamstring injury and then an eye injury that required surgery.

In Miami, Finnegan is expected to complete for playing time with Jamar Taylor and Will Davis, who saw little action as rookies last season.

Finnegan, a former seventh-round draft pick, spent his first six NFL seasons with Tennessee.

Lewis extended

CINCINNATI - Cinc-innati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis had signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him on the job through the 2015 season.

Lewis has led the Bengals to three straight playoff berths, a first for the franchise that began play in 1968. But the Bengals are 0-5 in the playoffs under Lewis.

His 90 career victories are the most in Bengals history by 26 over Sam Wyche (64). His record is 90-85-1 in the regular season.

Lewis, 55, says Friday: "I'm blessed to continue to do a job I love here in Cincinnati. ... I truly appreciate the commitment by our management to continue to enable us to build an NFL championship team."

Titans get LB

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on a multiyear deal with free-agent linebacker Wesley Woodyard, who spent the last six years with the Denver Broncos.

After arriving in the NFL in 2008 as an undrafted free agent from Kentucky, Woodyard developed into a six-time team captain for the Broncos. During the 2012 season, Woodyard was the only player in the NFL to have at least 100 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions.

In a release announcing the move Friday, Titans general manager Ruston Webster said "Wesley is a player who has experience playing in both 3-4 and 4-3 systems, and in our new scheme he fits as one of the inside linebackers. He is smart and fast."

The team reported the signing on its website Thursday, but said Friday the deal was off in "a mutual parting of the ways that had to do with the language of the contract."

Herring figured to be a prominent part of special teams for the Cowboys after the eighth-year player excelled in that role for New Orleans.

The 30-year-old Herring was with Seattle his first four years in the league before spending the past three seasons with the Saints. He's made 10 starts in 97 career games.

Two more Raiders

ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Oakland Raiders added two more playoff-tested veterans to their rebuilding defense.

Oakland signed free agent defensive lineman Antonio Smith to a two-year, $9 million contract and cornerback Tarell Brown to a one-year, $3.5 million deal Friday.

Smith has played 10 seasons with Arizona and Houston, going to the Super Bowl following the 2008 season with the Cardinals and making two playoff trips with the Texans. He has 41 1/2 career sacks and has the ability to play tackle or end.

Brown spent the past seven seasons with the 49ers and made three trips to the NFC title game and one Super Bowl appearance.

The Raiders signed linebacker LaMarr Woodley and defensive tackle Justin Tuck on Thursday.

Defense in KC

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Chiefs signed former Raiders defensive tackle Vance Walker to a three-year deal Friday, filling one of their needs, and announced the signing of linebacker Frank Zombo.

Walker was a seventh-round pick of the Falcons in 2009, and provided valuable depth while appearing in 58 games for them over his first four seasons. He started 15 games for the Raiders last season, making 29 tackles and three sacks.

Walker figures to replace Tyson Jackson, who signed with Atlanta in free agency.